---
title: "Donna Stroud | KnowJudges"
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# Donna Stroud

North Carolina Court of Appeals · Court of Appeals Judge

## Profile

- Court: North Carolina Court of Appeals
- State: North Carolina
- Role: Court of Appeals Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Donna S. Stroud is an American lawyer and jurist who held the role of Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2024, and has been a judge on the Court of Appeals since 2007
- She has also been an adjunct professor at Campbell University School of Law since 2008
- Judge, Court of Appeals of North Carolina, 2007-present
- Appointed Chief Judge by outgoing Chief Justice Cheri Beasley in 2021 and served until Chief Justice Paul Martin Newby removed her and appointed Chris Dillon in 2024
- Before joining the appellate court, she held the role of a Wake County District Court judge (2004–2006) and was in private practice from 1988 to 2004, first as an associate at Kirk, Gay, Kirk, Gwynn & Howell, then as a founding partner at Gay, Stroud & Jackson, LLP.

### Education

- Campbell University — B.A.
- Duke University School of Law

### Additional information

- Stroud was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2006 to replace Linda Stephens, reelected unopposed in 2014, and reelected again in 2022.
- Practitioner, 2006-2006
- Born June 28, 1964.
- Date of birth: 1964-06-28
- She has served on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Appellate Rules Committee and Women in the Profession Committee, and has given presentations to multiple legal organizations

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote proceedings

Scope: statewide

North Carolina law permits judicial officials to conduct proceedings by audio and video transmission, subject to statutory safeguards and case-specific limits.

Evidence excerpt: Judicial officials may conduct proceedings of all types using an audio and video transmission in which the parties, the presiding official, and any other participants can see and hear each other.

[G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote testimony

Scope: statewide

For North Carolina civil jury proceedings, remote witness testimony requires a record finding of good cause.

Evidence excerpt: In a civil proceeding involving a jury, the court may allow a witness to testify by audio and video transmission only upon finding in the record that good cause exists.

[G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### approved videoconferencing

Scope: statewide

North Carolina audio/video proceedings must use videoconferencing applications approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Evidence excerpt: All proceedings under this section shall be conducted using videoconferencing applications approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

[G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### official recording

Scope: statewide

North Carolina Judicial Branch guidance distinguishes official court reporters, digital recording technicians, and later transcription of official recordings.

Evidence excerpt: A digital recording technician attends the court proceeding as well and is trained to use special recording equipment and technology to make a recording along with detailed notes of the proceeding.

[Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording availability

Scope: statewide

North Carolina states that not all court proceedings are recorded and identifies when audio recordings may be requested from the clerk.

Evidence excerpt: If the clerk or digital recording technician made an audio recording of the proceeding, you may request a copy of the audio recording from the clerk's office in the county where the case is filed.

[Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/donna-stroud)
- [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/donna-stroud)
- [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/donna-stroud)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8033/donna-s-stroud/)
- [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html)
- [Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8033/donna-s-stroud/)
- [Wikidata: Donna Stroud](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5296474)

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